April 20, 1889. 
THE GAKDENING WORLD. 
535 
one in the neighbourhood of London or other large 
cities. The sample sent by Mr. Wildsmith showed 
evidence of high cultivation, for the berries were largo, 
shapely, and well-coloured from the apex to the stalk, 
and were richly and delicately flavoured, notwith¬ 
standing the cloudy and sunless weather. Fruit under 
glass may lack the briskness of that grown out of doors, 
but that under notice was tender, and possessed the 
real flavour so characteristic of one of the most highly- 
esteemed fruits of temperate countries. 
Rhododendron, Ne Plus Ultra. 
The flowers of this hybrid greenhouse Rhododendron 
are large and of a bright reddish scarlet. The continued 
effect of hybridisation and cross-breeding has been to 
shorten the tube and enlarge the lamina. The piece 
exhibited by Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, at the 
spring show of the Royal Botanic Society on the 10th 
had been propagated recentty, and the leaves rested on 
the pot, while the large truss of twelve flowers just 
surmounted them, and was very effective. A Flori- 
cultural Certificate was awarded. 
Primula marginata ccerulea. 
The ordinary form of this is an exceedingly beautiful 
Alpine, and perfectly hardy in this country. The 
specific name applies to the margins of the leaves, which 
are surrounded with a silvery mealy margin, and 
giving the whole a very pretty effect. The typical form 
has lilac or violet-rose flowers, from which the variety 
under notice differs in having them of a decidedly blue 
tint, but hardly sky-blue, as the varietal name would 
indicate. A plant of it was exhibited by Mr. T. S. 
Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, at the second 
spring show of the Royal Botanic Society, when it 
received a Floricultural Certificate. 
Reversion of Daffodils. 
At Gunnersbury Park, Mr. Roberts planted out a 
number of the single form of the Tenby Daffodil, but a 
very large number of them have taken the double shape. 
Did the double grow out of the single, or vice versa ? 
In my own garden a clump of the double Daffodil has 
thrown but one flower this season, and that a single 
one, and yet the plants in my clump appear very much 
stronger than those of the single Tenby Daffodil, which 
has reverted to the double at Gunnersbury Park. I 
am not quite sure I am correct in employing the term 
reverted, and I am open to correction.— R. D. [We 
doubt the statement that this is a case of doubling or 
reversion ; it is rather one of mixing. Last year, large 
numbers of bulbs of the Tenby Daffodil were collected 
and put on the market, and it is known now that they 
were not carefully selected, a considerable number of 
Telemonius plenus flowering among them. It has not 
yet been clearly proved that a double form of the true 
Tenby Daffodil exists.—E d.] 
Primula petiolaris. 
During the flowering period at least of this plant the 
application of the specific name is not very apparent, 
seeing that the leaves are stalkless, or almost so, and 
arranged in a compact rosette. They are obovate, 
toothed in much the same way as those of P. den- 
ticulata, and will no doubt become much more elon¬ 
gated later on when the flowering period is over. The 
common peduncle of the umbel of the flower is almost 
as short as in the case of P. vulgaris, being almost 
hidden by the leaves, whereas the stalks of the in¬ 
dividual flowers are more elongated, but not to the 
same extent as in P. vulgaris. The general aspect of 
the flowers resembles that of European Alpine kinds, 
while, on the other hand, the foliage is that of the 
Himalayan type. The corolla is large, salver-shaped, 
and lilac or rosy purple, with the obovate segments 
toothed along the upper end. We noticed a flowering 
specimen in one of the north-aspect pits in the gardens 
of the Royal Horticultural Society, Chiswick. The 
species seems also to have a tendency to throw up 
ligules or tongues from the base of the stamens, as in 
the case of the semi-double strains of P. sinensis. 
Here also the colouration is on the outer face, while 
the inner face is white. These characters may be seen 
on a specimen in the hardy plant house in the her. 
baceous ground at Kew. 
Begonia suaveolens. 
This is generally known under the name of B. odorata 
on account of its flowers, which are more or less fragrant 
at certain stages. It is chiefly valuable as a winter¬ 
flowering plant, producing a large quantity of pure 
white flowers. There is a close resemblance between it 
and B. nitida, which differs in having large deep rose- 
coloured flowers, and in other particulars respecting the 
leaves, which iu both species are of a deep shining 
green. B. nitida has the honour of being the first 
Begonia introduced to this country, and was brought 
from Jamaica in 1777, whereas B. suaveolens was 
introduced from Central America in 1816. There can 
be little doubt that both are intimately allied species. 
We noticed a number of plants of B. suaveolens 
flowering with great freedom in the stove at Homefield, 
Eiling. The flowers are produced in large axillary 
cymes, and are useful for cut-flower purposes, for which 
their long peduncles and pure white colour render 
them very suitable. Old plants attain a height of 
2 ft. or 3 ft., and assume a shrubby appearance. 
Syringa vulgaris, Marie Lemoine. 
Some flowering branches of this Lilac which had been 
forced were exhibited by Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, 
at the second spring show of the Royal Botanic Society. 
The panicles and the flowers were large, the latter 
being single and pure white. There are already three 
named white varieties in cultivation, and this one 
seemed to be characterised by the size of its flowers ; 
but it must be closely similar to S. alba virginalis. A 
Floricultural Certificate was awarded. 
Narcissus, Her Majesty. 
The segments of this variety of Daffodil are pale 
yellow, spreading and slightly twisted. The corona is 
darker, very short, w'ith a widely-spreading, undulated 
and lobed mouth. These characters of the trumpet are 
the special features of the variety. A truss of bloom 
was exhibited by Messrs. Birr & Son, Covent Garden, 
at the second spring show of the Royal Botanic Society, 
where a Floricultural Certificate was accorded it. 
Scented Solomon's Seal. 
The flowers on different individuals of the common 
Polygonatum multiflorum vary greatly in the degree 
to which their flowers are perfumed, while some have 
little or no scent at all. We examined some specimens 
in the greenhouses at Homefield, Ealing, which were 
very powerfully fragrant, reminding one very much of 
the odour given off by certain Orchids. Mr. Baird, 
the gardener, says that the odour is about equally 
powerful both during the day and after darkness sets 
in. 
Australian Buffalo G-rass. 
Botanically this is Stenotaphrum americanum, also 
known in nurseries under the name of S. glabrurn. 
Although spoken of as Australian Buffalo Grass, it 
occurs in the tropical parts of several countries, growing 
near the sea-shore as a rule. The variegated form (S. 
americanum variegatum) is the most ornamental kind 
for garden decorative purposes, and has its leaves 
variously striped with creamy yellow. As is frequently 
the case, the young foliage is the more ornamental, and 
the plants when kept growing under favourable con¬ 
ditions as to heat, moisture and light, produce a great 
quantity of young foliage. The procumbent stems 
keep elongating, giving off side shoots from the nodes, 
and in this condition the plant forms a suitable edging 
for the front of the stages occupied with taller plants 
behind. It is grown by Mr. J. Biird, gardener, 
Homefield, Ealing. 
Rhododendron, Lady Alice Fitzwilliam. 
Outside of what are known as hybrid greenhouse 
Rhododendrons, which belong to the R, jasminiflorum 
and R. javanicum types, are some excellent and first- 
class decorative subjects, including Lady Alice Fitz¬ 
william, which, in most respects, bears a close similarity 
to R. Edgeworthii, a native of the Sikkim Himalayas, 
and which was, no doubt, one of the parents. The 
chief difference is seen in the leaves, which in the 
subject under notice are not densely felted with a rusty 
tomentum, as in R. Edgeworthii. The flowers still 
retain the same magnificent proportions and the 
fragrance of the latter, and when fully expanded, 
diffuse an agreeable aroma through the house in which 
they are grown. The great expanse of the flowers is 
due, as in other cases, to a shortening of the tube and 
a flattening out of the limb of the corolla, which is pure 
white with the exception of a large yellow blotch or 
series of spots at the base of the upper segments. 
Even small plants, when trained in the form of a 
globular bush, flower very freely. We noticed some 
specimens in the nursery of Messrs. J. Laing & Sons 
in full bloom. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE STOVE. 
Cycads. —Few of these are, as a rule, grown in private 
establishments, with the exception of Cycas circinalis, 
C. revoluta, and a few of the Zamias. When, how¬ 
ever, any of them show signs of throwing up a tier of 
fresh leaves, they had better be placed in a house where 
a high temperature and a moist atmosphere are main¬ 
tained. This is all the more necessary from the fact 
that growth proceeds at a very rapid pace provided the 
conditions are suitable. In the comparatively cold 
atmosphere of a greenhouse a very limited growth 
is made, and the plants consequently lack in 
their decorative effect. While the leaves are being 
developed the plants must be liberally supplied with 
water. 
Seedlings. —In propagating pits and other warm 
houses where young seedlings are coming on, see that 
they get pricked off in good time to avoid crowding. 
Amongst those demanding attention at this period are 
Torenias, Gloxinias, tuberous Begonias, and other 
plants requiring a high temperature to start them. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Epacris. —As successive batches of these go out of 
flower, remove them from the greenhouse or con¬ 
servatory, and after pruning them hard back, place in 
a stove or vinery at work to re-start them. Give very 
little water for a time, unless they actually become dry, 
till the buds push. Encourage growth by syringing on 
fine days. Any plants that require potting should 
be seen to just at this stage, because the young roots, 
being active, will take possession of the fresh soil 
immediately. 
Bouvardias. —Pot off cuttings singly as they root. 
In most establishments where large quantities are 
grown, the first batches will soon require a second 
potting into 48-size pots. Pinch out the tops to induce 
a bushy habit from the first. Old plants that had 
been hard cut down after flowering was over will now 
be breaking freely. They may be shaken out and have 
the ball of roots considerably reduced, whether they 
are intended to be grown on in pots or planted out in 
frames or on sunny borders later on when the weather 
becomes suitable. Re-pot them in a smaller size for the 
present in any case. 
Azaleas. —In order to get some late batches of 
these, some of the plants may be placed in a house 
with a north aspect, and kept as cool as possible, 
giving on all favourable occasions free ventilation. 
Annuals. —If not already in cold pits and frames, 
all such things as are intended for decoration of the 
conservatory later on should be pricked into pots of 
good soil, and after they recommence growth, should 
be placed under cool treatment and freely ventilated. 
Under any circumstance give them plenty of light, to 
prevent their being drawn. Mat up the frames at 
night if there be any appearance of frost. Under this 
heading may be mentioned Stocks, Asters, Rhodanthe 
Manglesi, Sehizanthus retusa, S. pinnatus, Browallia 
elata, and the half-hardy subjects used for conservatory 
decoration. 
THE FORGING HOUSES. 
Vineries. —With the dull, cold and miserable weather 
which has prevailed for some time past, at least in the 
London district, the conditions have by no means been 
favourable to the ripening of Grapes. Therefore the 
most will have to be made of the circumstances, by 
maintaining a free circulation of warm air in the house. 
Ventilation to a greater or less extent, both front and 
back, should be given, and to keep up a good circu¬ 
lation the fires will have to be kept going at a rate of 
combustion proportionate to the needs of the day. 
This will induce the berries to colour better, and the 
flavour will also be greatly improved. The foliage 
may be kept healthy by damping down the paths and 
borders early in the day, so that by noon the atmo¬ 
sphere of the house will be again quite dry. Later 
houses will have yet to be treated differently. In the 
case of those houses where the berries have not yet 
commenced to colour, care should be taken that the 
borders do not get dry. If so, give a thorough 
watering with tepid water, using liquid manure or 
guano with it, and no further will be required till the 
fruit is ripe. The Muscat house may be kept at a 
night temperature of 70°, which will be sufficiently 
high at this period of the year. Allow the temperature 
to rise to 80® early in the day, particularly if the 
